Unfortunately, many seniors are exploited by con artists, family members or caregivers every year. Some do not report financial exploitation because they are embarrassed about the event. Failure to report only allows the violator to continue victimizing others. Learn more about how you can prevent these crimes and protect yourself or your family.

Ads and websites that guarantee loans or credit cards regardless of your credit history may be tempting, but remember: Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say you're likely to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit history, or a bankruptcy. Read more

If you’re signing up for health insurance under the Affordable Health Care program, watch out for con artists who may ask for your money, your personal information, or both. Consumer Federation of America’s tips help you learn how to avoid scams.

Whether you’re renewing your Green Card, becoming a citizen, or trying to choose the right forms, immigration issues can be complicated. It’s important to do things right. Use these resources to help spot and avoid scams, and find the right kind of help.

Whether you’re renewing your Green Card, becoming a citizen, or trying to choose the right forms, immigration issues can be complicated. It’s important to do things right. Use these FTC resources to help spot and avoid scams, and find the right kind of help. Also, visit the USCIS Avoid Scams webpages to learn more about becoming an authorized service provider, common scams, finding legal services, form filing tips, and reporting immigration scams.

When sending money to family and friends, choose money transmitters carefully! Maryland law requires money transmitters to be licensed and have an insurance bond to cover the loss if your money does not reach its destination. Read more.

Caller ID "spoofing" occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your Caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

At one time or another, everyone has received a chain letter scam through the regular mail or in an e-mail message. Chain mail letters promise a big return on a small investment. Don’t waste your money! Chain letters are illegal and they don’t work. Read more

Unscrupulous companies guarantee they'll get you a scholarship or grant, if you pay them an advance fee. Before you pay anyone for help, investigate the company and talk to a guidance or financial aid counselor. Read more about how to find legitimate help.

This page provides links to some of Alabama’s most frequently requested consumer-related laws. This is not an exhaustive list of all Alabama consumer laws. Please remember this Office cannot serve as your attorney or give you legal advice. The following laws, as well as many other consumer laws, may be accessed through this website.

Read BBB expert advice about buying and selling and being a savvy consumer. BBB Consumer Tips provide real-time news about hot marketplace topics, from choosing the right auto insurance to picking the right wedding photographer. Check out bbb.org/tips.

Information for people of different literacy levels and those who want practical, concise information. Read about credit, debt, identity theft, avoiding scams, budgeting, and managing money. This free material is available in English and Spanish.

With hundreds of charities, for-profit companies, and political organizations soliciting for donations, it's hard to know which are legitimate. Learn how to handle the offers of sweepstakes, emotional appeals, and confusing or misleading information before you contribute.

When you buy a used car from a private party, there's always a chance that you're really buying from a "curbstoner," a person who's in the business of selling used cars but doesn’t want you to know that. Read about signs to watch for when you buy a used car.

Be wary of ads or emails that claim you can earn a college degree based on "real life experience." Use the internet to check with the U.S. Department of Education to see if a school is accredited by a legitimate organization.

Each year, the U.S. Department of State runs the Diversity Visa Lottery Program. The Program lets people get a "green card" - apply to be a lawful permanent resident. Dishonest attorneys and others may try to trick people who want to enter the lottery. Read more

If you need help with your immigration case, watch out for persons who pretend to be immigration attorneys or accredited representatives. They can take your money, involve you in immigration fraud, and get you deported or arrested. Read more

Health fraud scams fool people about products that may not be all they seem. The scams bombard us with deceptive marketing. Read this brochure to learn how to identify and avoid health fraud scams. Read more

“Spam” usually means unsolicited mass commercial email messages from a sender who doesn't have a business relationship with a recipient. The Georgia Slam Spam E-Mail Act penalizes some abuses related to spam messages.

If you are a victim of identity theft and have created an Identity Theft Report, you may want to place an extended fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit file. Read more about the differences between these options and steps to take.

Has someone notified you that you’ve won millions in a lottery or sweepstakes? Did they send you a check or money order for part of your winnings and ask you to send money for taxes or fees in order to collect the rest? Sorry, it’s a scam! Watch Consumer Federation of America’s funny video to learn how it works. More information about this and other variations of the scam is provided at www.consumerfed.org/fakecheckscams.

Has someone offered you a job working for them from your home? Did they send you a check or money order and ask you to send money somewhere as part of the job? Sorry, it’s a scam! Watch Consumer Federation of America’s funny video to learn how it works. More information about this and other variations of the scam is provided at www.consumerfed.org/fakecheckscams.

Scammers may pose as relatives or friends, calling or sending messages to urge you to wire money immediately. They’ll say they need cash to help with an emergency — like getting out of jail, paying a hospital bill, or leaving a foreign country. Their goal is to trick you into sending money before you realize it’s a scam. Read more.

People in Wisconsin are being targeted to invest in complicated bank fraud schemes that originate outside the U.S. One common scam starts with an unexpected letter or email from someone claiming to work on a Nigerian government project.

Small businesses are the targets of fraudulent or deceptive sales practices including business opportunities, office supply scams, and phony billing schemes. This guide explains the scams and how to handle them.

Solicitations, calls, and mail from groups that claim to be affiliated with law enforcement or fire fighters may not be related to your local police or fire organizations. Before you donate, find out who is calling, whether they're registered, and what share of your donation goes to local police or fire fighters.

You may have seen TV infomercials or ads that claim their product or program will help you increase your wealth or start a business. Before you invest, check out the business with state and local agencies, and get more information about the business.

Gifting clubs are a type of fraudulent money making operation often beginning in neighborhoods, churches, or similar small communities. Gifting clubs are a type of fraudulent money making operation often beginning in neighborhoods, churches, orsimilar small communities. The Internet is also a popular place to find a gifting club classified as a business opportunity or online money-making venture. In reality, the clubs are illegal pyramid schemes. Read more

Have you ever seen a retail establishment that advertises it's “going out of business,” but somehow manages to hang on and stay in business? It may be violating Georgia law, which prohibits conducting a going-out-of-business sale for longer than 90 days.

Scammers sometimes impersonate government officials to get you to send them money. No federal government agency or legitimate sweepstakes company will contact you to ask for money. And no matter what, if you have to pay, it’s not a prize. Read more.

Promises of quick fixes and miracle cures can be found in TV infomercials, radio, direct mail, newspapers, and magazines. Don’t get fooled by bogus claims including "Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Days!" “Grow Hair Back” and "Cure my Diabetes!" Watch this video to learn about common health fraud scams.

Health fraud scams target people with promises of quick and painless cures. They waste money and can lead to delay in getting the proper diagnosis and treatment. Watch this video and learn how to recognize and avoid health fraud scams.

Health fraud scams refer to products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure diseases or other health conditions, but are not proven safe and effective for those uses. Learn about common health fraud scams.

Scam operators use the phone and direct mail to entice U.S. consumers to buy chances in high-stakes foreign lotteries. The solicitations violate U.S. law, which ban selling or buying lottery tickets from outside the U.S. by phone or mail. The FTC has words of caution about responding to a foreign lottery.

Internet businesses sound like the perfect job: be your own boss, set your own hours, and work from home. In truth, most require a lot of time and money, and few succeed. Investigate internet business opportunities as carefully as you would any other business opportunity.

Fraudulent telemarketers based in Jamaica call people in the U.S. and say they've won a sweepstakes or foreign lottery. The Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Jamaican law enforcement say most of the promotions are tricks to try and get your money The agencies are working together to stop the scams.

In October 2009, NeighborWorks® America launched a national public education campaign to educate homeowners about loan modification scams. The campaign empowers homeowners to protect themselves against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities. NeighborWorks® America is joined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of the Treasury, Federal Trade Commission, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and other national, state and local partners including 235 community-based affiliates. Together, they alert thousands of homeowners in hundreds of communities through real-life scam stories, fliers, postcards, e-cards, posters, print advertising, radio PSAs, events, word of mouth and social media activity. Materials are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole. The campaign encourages homeowners to “Know the signs. Get the facts.” Homeowners can call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for loan modification guidance from a HUD-approved counseling agency or to report a scam, or visit LoanScamAlert.org.

NeighborWorks America urges homeowners to avoid paying for a loan modification or to stop a foreclosure. A video they released featuring everyday people illustrates how homeowners are willing to pay thousands of dollars if they think it will save their home. Free help is available from the homeowner’s lender or a HUD-approved counseling agency. Scam artists often ask homeowners for a payment or administrative “fees,” usually upfront. But many homeowners don’t know upfront fees are illegal. This video shows that when mortgage problems arise, homeowners could be lured by the promise of help for a fee. Loan-modification scams can be difficult to spot, but the top signs include:

A company/person asks for a fee in advance to work with your lender to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage.

A company/person guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get your loan modified.

A company/person advises you to stop paying your mortgage company and pay them instead.

To find a local HUD-approved counseling agency, talk with a housing counselor 24 hours a day or report a scam, call 888-995-HOPE (4673). Or visit http://www.LoanScamAlert.org for more signs or to learn more. The campaign web site is also available in Spanish at AlertaFraudedeHipoteca.org. Materials are also available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole.

Malware (short for “malicious software") includes viruses and spyware that get installed on your computer, phone, or mobile device without your consent. Criminals use malware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud. Read more

Scammers use all kinds of stories to try to get you to wire money. Read these tips before you wire money for "sweepstakes prize," "mystery shopper job," or because someone claims your friend "had an emergency in another country."

The FTC created the National Do Not Call Registry to offer consumers a choice about telemarketing calls. Find answers to frequently asked questions about how the registry works and how to register your phone number(s).

This resource from the Federal Trade Commission empowers older consumers to fight scams and fraud. The site features articles, presentations, video and activities for consumers and advocates to share with their friends, family and community members.

Some scam prize offers and sweepstakes use fancy certificates, official entry numbers, or envelopes that look like telegrams to trick people into thinking they're legitimate. Despite the fancy package, these offers will cost you money. Read more.

When you see an offer online, how can you be sure that the deal is real and not a rip-off? Read Consumer Federation of America’s tips and watch the funny video to learn how to protect yourself when you’re buying online.

Consumer Affairs Has Your Back is a public awareness campaign to educate consumers about their rights and to let them know how DCA can help. The campaign features real people whose complaints DCA successfully mediated.

When you are trying to figure out whether a company is a legitimate multi-level marketing organization (“MLM”) or an illegal pyramid scheme, make sure that you have answers to these seven money-related questions before you make any sort of investment.

Think twice before participating in a "fantastic business opportunity" that requires you to make an initial “gift” and then recruit new members. It could be a new twist on a pyramid scheme. Read about Wisconsin laws that prohibit untrue, deceptive, or misleading presentations and unfair practices.

Hunting for a house or apartment to rent can be an adventure, and a balancing act. There's a lot to consider, like size, location, move-in date, monthly rent, parking, and utility bills. The FTC wants you to know how to avoid a rental scam.

You may have heard that it’s a danger sign if someone you don’t know wants you to use a money transfer service to send them cash. Now scammers are using other ways to get people to send them money. Read Consumer Federation of America’s tips and watch the funny video to learn how to protect yourself and your hard-earned cash.

BBB Scam Stopper helps people avoid wasting money or leaking personal information to a scam. With the growth of social media, internet shopping, online banking and other technology, scams are taking on new forms. It's often difficult to tell a legitimate offer from a scam in disguise. Check out bbb.org/scam.

BBB Scam Stopper helps people avoid wasting money or leaking personal information to a scam. With the growth of social media, internet shopping, online banking and other technology, scams are taking on new forms. It's often difficult to tell a legitimate offer from a scam in disguise.

Unscrupulous companies may "guarantee" they can get a scholarship for a student, or will "give" them a scholarship if they pay a fee. The company may give the student nothing for the fee, or tell them they were chosen as "finalists" and must pay another fee. The FTC cautions students to watch for signs of a scam.

You may have gotten emails or ads claiming you'll earn a living as a mystery shopper while dining at elegant restaurants, shopping at pricey stores, or checking into luxurious hotels. However, marketers who promote these jobs often don't deliver on their promises. Read more.

People claiming to be computer techs associated with well-known companies call to say they’ve detected viruses or other malware on your computer. It’s a trick to get access to your computer – or to get you to pay for software you don’t need.

Every year, thousands of people lose money to telemarketing scams. Telephone scammers will say anything to cheat people out of their money. There are ways to hang up on these scammers before they get the best of you and your money.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office protects timeshare owners by investigating the business practices of telemarketing companies that market their advertising services to timeshare owners who want to sell or rent their timeshare interests. Read more

While most travel agencies are reputable and guide consumers honestly and competently, some consumers pay for tickets they never receive. The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection suggests you carefully research a travel agency or merchant before you pay for services.

Whether you want to take a cruise, stay at a resort, or join a travel club, it pays to be an informed traveler Before you choose, read a company’s cancellation and refund policies, and consider whether you want travel cancellation insurance.

Learn to spot and avoid investment fraud as the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and AARP uncover tricks criminals use to trap their victims. Order your copy of this free DVD documentary, which has been featured on PBS. Learn more

Scam artists use many schemes to get your money; many involve transferring money through companies like Western Union and MoneyGram. According to the Federal Trade Commission, money transfers may be useful to send funds to someone you know and trust, but they’re completely inappropriate when you’re dealing with a stranger. Read more

Have you heard about the grandparent scam? Even people who aren't grandparents can be targeted by crooks posing as friends or relatives who need cash quick because of an “emergency.” Watch CFA's funny video and learn more about how the scam works from the tips that CFA provides.

This fact sheet provides basic information on who can represent aliens in immigration proceedings. It is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice, nor does it constitute any legal opinion by the Department of Justice. This fact sheet is not fully inclusive, does not address all applicable laws and case interpretation, and may be subject to change as new laws and regulations are enacted.

Ads for envelope stuffing, making craft items, government employment, secret shopper, medical billing and other business schemes promise consumers hundreds to thousands of dollars a month for an investment of a few dollars. But complaints by consumers show the result is usually the same – consumers lose their money. Read more.